The manner in which the BJP’s big bosses chose the chief ministers of the three states it won recently – Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh – has left many in the Maharashtra BJP reeling. The pattern in all three governments was the same: Push aside the established and choose new faces to take over. It was the only speech in the parliament in Nagpur where the fifth session is going on. Discussions, not only in BJP circles in the state, but also among its allies, revolved around this theme: What will happen to Maharashtra if the BJP-led alliance returns to the seat in next year’s assembly elections?
If the party leadership continues with the trend of removing established positions, there may be several people taking top positions. This has made several BJP leaders worried about their future. The first step is seen in the next election where several ministers and senior leaders will be asked to contest in the Lok Sabha, which may also mean removing them from state politics. Several MPs are running for re-election. According to a senior official of the party, the official is also keenly watching the developments in the Maratha agitation, which may affect the plans of all the parties in the state. In short, no one can take over the party regardless of the BJP.
Hand washing or non-compliance?
Disagreement is not unusual in a three-party ruling coalition. However, the ruling body’s reaction last week when the Opposition blocked the Nawab Malik issue was surprising. That Malik, who is out on bail in a money laundering case, would attend the fifth meeting in Nagpur was no secret, given that the President’s office had given him a seat on the treasury benches.
When he actually took his seat in the treasury benches, the ruling party MPs initially said that it was the responsibility of his party, the NCP led by Ajit Pawar. They, however, changed their tone soon after they started attacking the ruling parties, especially the BJP, by reminding their leaders of what they had said earlier about Malik. This followed a negative reaction on social media from BJP’s opponents and supporters. This forced the BJP and Prime Minister Eknath Shinde led Shiv Sena to distance themselves from the Malik issue. Fadnavis posted the letter he sent to Ajit Pawar on his social media. Soon, Shinde also supported Fadnavis’ stand and blocked Ajit, who later told reporters that Malik had not decided to join any NCP party. Ajit’s aides said he was saddened by his friends’ actions but chose to remain silent. He also skipped a dinner in Nagpur where the hosts invited the who’s who of the country’s politicians.
Seeking God’s intervention
The wife of a political leader in the state was seen visiting religious places in the past few days, perhaps hoping for divine intervention to revive their political fortunes. What has raised the eyebrows in the political circles is that the workers of the BJP-ruled government ensured that his trip to the Himalayan region went off without a hitch. There is also speculation about who he met on his trip to the two countries. The party her husband leads is a rival of the BJP but there have been rumors that efforts are also being made to build bridges.
Work for the leaders of the State Congress
As the year-end vacation season begins, there is no respite for Congress leaders. He has a major role in ensuring that the party’s foundation day commemoration rally on December 28 in Nagpur is grand. The meeting, which will be addressed by former party presidents Sonia and Rahul Gandhi and current president Mallikarjun Kharge, is seen as important for the Congress as it will be launching its campaign for the Lok Sabha elections after suffering in three states. Making the rally a success may be important to the party’s attempt to send a message to its base that the party is not concerned about defeat. The same task is now on Messrs. Nana Patole and their colleagues. The government aims to gather a crowd of 10 lakh for the rally, in which all prominent leaders are asked to participate.
